5 Mar 2009

50 jobs under threat at education commission

6:19 pm on 5 March 2009

More than 50 jobs are on the line under a restructuring proposal at the Tertiary Education Commission.

Education Minister Anne Tolley is refusing to comment on the proposed job cuts.

The Public Services Association fears the proposed cuts are the first of a rolling restructuring of the state sector.

Under what is described as a realignment, the number of fulltime equivalent staff would be reduced from 364 to 292. The commission says 76 positions would go but 24 new ones would be created, meaning that 52 jobs would disappear.

Chief executive Roy Sharp says the realignment will focus on strengthening areas where the commission adds the most value.

But the PSA says the proposed restructuring appears to be aimed at cutting costs rather than improving education outcomes in the tertiary sector.

National secretary Brenda Pilott says it is likely that the proposed cuts at the commission will be followed by restructuring at most Government agencies.

Ms Pilott says the commission is aware that up to another six government departments that are looking at where restructuring could happen.

Cost-cutting exercise, says Labour

The Labour Party says the proposed job losses show the Government is cutting the public service, not capping it as promised.

Labour's state sector spokesperson Grant Robertson says it is no secret the National-led Government has had its issues with the commission.

Mr Robertson says the cuts represent up to 30% of the commission's workforce and come at a time when New Zealand needs to boost its skills levels.

He says throughout the election the National Party talked about capping, not cutting, the core bureaucracy.

Many of the jobs are front-line staff who are servicing the tertiary sector.

Mr Robertson says the restructure is simply a cost-cutting exercise.